TMJ Treatment in Round Rock, TX

Serving the Round Rock, TX community

Do you wake up every morning with a headache or a sore jaw? Does your partner complain about clicking or popping noises while you sleep? If so, you are probably grinding your teeth, and it may be a result of TMJ.

In some cases, these symptoms can be so severe that they have a severe and detrimental impact on your quality of life. But like many patients who visit our Round Rock dental office to talk about their symptoms, you may not be aware that a qualified dental professional can treat the problem effectively.

Are TMD and TMJ the same thing?

People often use the terms TMJ and TMD interchangeably, but they are two different things:

TMJ is the acronym for "temporomandibular joint," the joint that connects the lower jaw (mandible) to the temporal bone on either side of your head and controls movement. You can feel these joints working when you place your fingers in front of and slightly below your years and moving your jaw up and down or from side to side.

TMD stands for Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, which is a collection of problems, often painful, that are associated with dysfunction of the TMJ and surrounding muscles.

Why do the TMJs become painful?

Your TMJ (jaw joints) controls the up and down and side to side movement of your jaw, and are one of the most continually used joints in the body. They function both as a hinge joint and a gliding joint and allow proper function by working together with the ligaments, cartilage, muscles, and your jaw bone.

Just like any other joint in the body, however, the TMJ becomes fatigued when it’s overworked, especially when it’s not functioning correctly, to begin with. Since the joint doesn’t get much chance to rest and recover, this overuse causes the painful symptoms that we call TMD.

Who is at risk for TMJ disorders?

Pinpointing the cause of TMD can be a challenge because there are several conditions with which it's associated. In general, you are at a higher risk if you have any of the following conditions:

Arthritis or disease that affects joints

Teeth grinding or bruxism

Injury to the head or jaw

Malocclusion (bad dental bite)

While we don’t know exactly how many people are affected by TMD, it appears that about twice as many women as men experience symptoms.

How can I tell if I have TMD?

TMD is a condition, not a specific disease. There are many different signs and symptoms of TMD that range from mild to debilitating. Specific symptoms may include:

Frequent headaches

Tender jaw muscles

Ringing in the ears

Earaches or pain around the ear

Difficulty opening or closing your mouth

Sensitive teeth

Clicking or popping sounds in the jaw

Pain when you yawn or chew

Fortunately, these symptoms don’t necessarily mean that a severe problem is developing, and only a small percentage of people with TMD pain develop significant long-term symptoms. Most people with TMJ disorders experience discomfort only occasionally and in cycles; often, the pain subsides with little or no treatment.

How do you diagnose jaw joint problems

Dr. Zavala and Dr. Lewcock diagnose TMD by performing a comprehensive evaluation. They will check the jaw joints and surrounding muscles for symptoms like:

Tenderness

Clicking or popping sounds

Range of motion

Signs of bruxism

Poor tooth alignment

Our doctors will evaluate your bite to collect information about the balance between your jaw joint and the way your teeth come into contact with each other. In some case, we may also recommend specialized x-rays as needed and review your complete medical history in.

How are TMJ problems and teeth grinding related?

People who suffer from TMD experience a number of annoying and painful symptoms, such as headaches and neck or shoulder pain. Other indications of TMJ include sounds in the joint like clicking or popping when you’re moving your jaw. Another common symptom is teeth grinding or bruxism.

When TMD occurs, the excessive force that’s placed on your jaw joint by teeth grinding can cause erosion and wearing of dental enamel that creates uneven surfaces on the teeth. These uneven surfaces, in turn, create an unbalanced bite that puts even more stress on the temporomandibular joint.

At Old Settler's Dental, our doctors will work with you to diagnose the problem and recommend suitable treatment. We can create a removable night guard (or splint) that will help move your jaw into the proper position. In most cases, treatment relieves symptoms and promotes healing of the joint.

What is the treatment for TMJ symptoms?

TMD is a complex disorder, and it is often difficult to pinpoint the exact problem. So, in most cases, TMJ problems are often managed rather than cured.

Here are a few approaches that we recommend to our patients to help them find relief:

Over-the-counter anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen

Muscle relaxants prescribed by your doctor

Corticosteroid or BOTOX®injections

Non-drug therapies often involve:

Physical therapy

Oral splints or occlusal guards

Relaxation techniques and stress management

If the problem is structural within the jaw itself, surgery may be an option. However, the procedure has risks, and should only be undertaken after careful consideration and weighing the pros and cons with your doctor.

How does a dentist treat TMD?

At Old Settler’s Dental, we tend to take the approach that “less is often best” when managing TMD.

If your pain is the result of teeth grinding or clenching, our doctors can fit you with a customized, FDA-approved device that sits comfortably over your front teeth. It works by balancing your dental bite and relieving the pressure on your jaw joints so they can rest and recover.

You may also find relief by applying heat or ice packs to the area. TMJ pain that’s related to stress can also be managed by making some lifestyle changes:

Avoiding chewing gum or foods that cause symptoms

Avoiding exaggerated jaw movements

Try relaxation techniques like meditation to minimize stress

Why are my TMD symptoms worse at night?

One of the causes of TMJ pain is teeth grinding or clenching. While stress is a common cause of teeth grinding, it may also be the result of an unbalanced dental bite where your teeth don’t correctly meet when you close your jaw.

Grinding your teeth can occur anytime, especially in stressful situations. However, many people grind their teeth while they sleep without realizing that they’re doing it. The first sign that you’re grinding your teeth is often pain in the jaw joint, headaches, or sensitive teeth upon waking.

Does insurance cover TMJ treatment?

Many insurances do cover at least a portion of TMJ treatment in Round Rock, TX. Our knowledgeable insurance expert will review your coverage and estimate what your out-of-pocket costs will be before we begin.

My jaw hurts, and I need relief. How do I get started?

With all the resources at our disposal, there is just no reason to go through life with frustrating, painful symptoms of TMD. If you want to pinpoint the exact cause of your symptoms and the best type of treatment for you, call Old Settlers Dental to arrange a consultation.

Dr. Zavala and Dr. Lewcock are dedicated to providing you with the most effective, up-to-date dental health solutions available. You can count on us to take all the time necessary to work with you to find the treatment that best fits your needs and restores your quality of life.

Meet Our Doctors:

Fredrick R. Lewcock, DDS, FAGD, MICOI, DDS, FAGD, MICOI

I’m Dr. Fredrick R. Lewcock of Old Settlers Dental. One of my greatest pleasures in life is seeing the transformations that occur in my patients after their treatments. Seeing someone smile with confidence ...

As someone who is constantly stimulated by learning new things, I also enjoy using many skills to achieve a final result. Because alleviating the fear that patients often have of dentists is one of my ...

Word of mouth is one of the best ways we connect and help more people in our community practice better dental health. We are thrilled when our patients send referrals our way. Whether it’s friends, family, or recommendations from dental professionals, we’re happy to take care of their needs. We value the confidence that you place in our team, and we’re grateful for your support! Tell one and tell all to call our Round Rock TX dental office today to set up an appointment.

Many of our patients come to us complaining of headaches and jaw/facial pain. One of the most common culprits, we have found, is TMD, or Temporomandibular Disorder. This disorder is a chronic pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which is a hinge that connects your jaw to the temporal bones of your skull. This joint allows you to move your jaw in different directions, allowing you to talk, chew, and yawn.